The LORD Saves
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Joshua is a warrior. The first time we meet Joshua is
shortly after the Lord freed the Israelites from slavery,
shortly after the Lord made a path through the Red Sea,
shortly after the Lord started to feed his people manna every day
Moses told Joshua to select some people and protect the Israelites from the attack of the Amalekites.
I told you this Bible story from Exodus 17, two weeks ago. What happened?
Moses was on a hill with staff of God.
As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. Exodus 17:11 (NIV)
Who won the battle? The Lord
The other famous battle connected with Joshua is the battle of Jericho (Joshua 6). How did Joshua fight the battle of Jericho?
On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! Joshua 6:15–16 (NIV)
Who won the battle? The Lord
Perhaps Joshua’s name fits better than his parents knew. Do you know what the name “Joshua” means? The Lordsaves.
It fits God’s promises to Joshua as well. What we read happens before the battle of Jericho. It’s a reminder of the past; reassurance for the future:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
This promise is for Joshua as a leader of God’s people, but it’s true for all God’s people. God claimed the Israelites and rescued them from slavery so they would be his people and he would be their God. After rescuing them and bringing them to safety, the Lord gave them instructions. Over the year they camped at Mt Sinai, God organized them, taught them how to live, and had the tabernacle constructed so he could live among them.
This isn’t just an OT story. It’s God’s plan for the salvation of the whole world. The Lordreclaims the whole world and all people as his own. He wants all people to trust him.
There’s a NT connection. Did you know that Jesus has the same name as Joshua? It sounds different b/c of translation.
What language was OT written in? Hebrew
What language was NT written in? Greek
What does the name Joshua mean? The Lord saves.
What does the name Jesus mean? The Lord saves.
Just like the Lord fought the Amalekites and won the battle of Jericho, so the Lord fights our greatest enemy.
The evil one is a fierce enemy. He wants to drive a wedge b/t you and the Lord. It’s a battle of life and death.
The name Satan means “accuser.” He reminds you of all your failures and faults. He tries to make you believe God doesn’t care about you; that you’re too young or too small or too sinful to enjoy God’s help or the Lord’s love.
B/c you can’t fight on your own, God fights the battle for you. What does Jesus’ name mean again? The Lordsaves!
The LordGod himself entered his creation so he could be with us. Jesus is totally human and totally God. At the cross, the evil one tried to destroy Jesus. He threw everything at him:
physical torture: flogging, nails in hands, hanging
hunger and thirst
crowd turned against Jesus: called for his crucifixion, mocked him
Satan did everything he could to destroy Jesus. When Jesus died, it looked like evil had won. But 3 days later Jesus rose. He arose victorious o’er his foes!
In his resurrection, Jesus won the battle over evil, over sin, and over death. He fought the battle for you and he won! Just like the Lord fought his people’s battles in Joshua’s days. Jesus lived up to his name: The Lord saves!
I know you still wrestle with temptation – so do I. Even on our good days we don’t live up to God’s standard.
But here’s more good news: Jesus’ report card:
Obedience: 100%,
Righteousness: 100%
Goodness: 100%
Holiness 100%,
Loved by God 100% is applied to you!
In God’s sight it’s as if you had never sinned nor been a sinner.
Even if you believe all this, you’re still going to face challenges. We live in a battle zone. I know, it’s not like Yemen or Somalia or Ukraine with guns, landmines, and missiles.
Here’s the battle: There are people who say that the land belongs to them, not to God. That the trees, natural resources, even their bodies are their own to do with them what they want. Not true!
As Creator – and as Rescuer – the truth is: the world belongs to God. Jesus is the King. The land, the crops, all intellectual property, even your bodies belong to God!
As we proclaim the gospel message of Jesus’ victory, there’s going to be push-back. The evil one will push back. People who think the gospel is too good to be true will push back. Even in some dark corners of your mind there is a sinful nature that will push back against the gospel.
It’s a tough battle. But we’re not in this alone. The promises God gives to Joshua apply to believers too:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)